The Certainty of Departures

And Mary said, “Behold, the bond slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38 (New American Standard Bible)

Mary’s questions have been asked, her heart has been settled and the next six words have a profound effect on me. I am not sure how long it took Gabriel to deliver his message, walk through the process of Mary digesting his message, and then depart. It may have just been a few minutes. No longer than it took me to read the thirteen verses that cover the event. But his visit was life changing and life defining for Mary. I wonder how often she replayed this day in her mind and delighted in the uniqueness of it all.

People come and go in our life. For some it is a brief encounter. For others it may span many years. I am one who enjoys relationships! I love to recall how God allowed my path to cross with particular people. My memories of them are sweet and I revel in the times we have shared. I marvel at the many friendships that have come my way. Some have blown my mind! But all are marked with the words found in this verse. Eventually they depart. Whether it is through death, a move, or a change in the relationship our involvement in each other’s life is diminished, altered, or discontinued all together.

As I learn to analyze these moments in my life, I begin to see the patterns each relationship goes through. I am convinced God has specific purposes for the individuals He brings into my life. Many times I may not fully realize the purpose until I look back over the time frame of the relationship. It is then that I can see specific messages they were meant to deliver to me about God, myself, or life in general. I also begin to see the intensity of the relationship is usually for a certain amount of time. I must be as willing to release this person as I was to embrace them. I must come to the place when I can fully accept God’s time frame for their involvement in my life and vice versa. Then they become a gift to be treasured instead of a loss to be grieved. It is a process I have to work on and I don’t always walk in victory, but it is worth it when I embrace the truth of it all.

Each change also reminds me of the constant presence of God. He never departs. As I cultivate my relationship with Him I am more able to fully appreciate the relationships with others in the ways He meant them to be.

Father, thank you for the dear people you have brought into my life. May I see them as Your messengers and hear their messages clearly. Amen.

Love That Won't Walk Away - Kathy Troccoli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZioqjmmtK3U

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.